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Updated over 5 years ago,
Can I charge a tenant for a civil standby fee?
I have a situation at a rental where the tenant locked me out. He changed the garage entry code and keeps the storm door locked (no key) which doesn't allow me to use my key at the front door. Those are the only two points of entry to the unit. I've sent him a lease violation notice under (change of locks/codes, and right-to-entry) clauses to remedy the situation. The tenant has threatened me before in the past over text messages but has been civil in person.
I was going to give notice to enter the unit and schedule a locksmith (to open the storm door) and hopefully change the lock in the storm door so we can both have keys, and schedule a police officer for a civil standby.
The lease allows me to have a code to the garage, right to entry, and charge the tenant for the fees associated with me entering a unit if he locked me out. Does anyone want to provide guidance if I can also charge the tenant for the civil standby fee ($140 for two police officers).
If this route fails, I'll terminate his lease with notice and proceed to evict. Thanks for any guidance on the issue.